Block copolymers for optical data storage

A block copolymer comprising at least one block (A) having at least 3 repeat units with the general formula (CI)

• where
• R100 represents hydrogen or methyl and
• R701 represents hydrogen or C1–C8 alkyl, and
• at least one block (B) having repeat units with the general formula (CII)
• where
• R702 represents hydrogen or methyl and
• R703 [STPQ], wherein [SPTQ] is represents either
• S1-T1-Q1-A or
• S2-T2-Q2-M
• where
• S1, S2 signify independently of one another the atoms O, S or the group NR1,
• R1 signifies hydrogen or C1–C4alkyl,
• T1, T2 signify independently of one another the group (CH2)n,
• n signifies the numbers 2, 3 or 4,
• and each of Q1 and Q2 denotes a divalent group,
• A is a unit which absorbs electromagnetic radiation and is represented by the formula
• where
• R2 to R7 signify independently of one another hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, C1–C4-alkyl, C1–C4alkoxy, CF3, CCl3, CBr3, SO2CF3, C1–C6-alkyl-sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, C1–C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, phenylaminosulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1–C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl or COOR1,
• M is a polarizable aromatic group having at least 12 π-electrons and is represented by the formula
• where
• R8 to R13 signify independently of one another hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, C1–C4 alkyl, C1–C4 alkoxy, CF3, CCl3, CB3, SO2CF3, C1–C6 alkyl-sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, C1–C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, phenylaminosulfonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1–C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl or COOR1 and
• Y signifies —COO—, —OCO—, —CONH—, —NHCO—, —O—, —NH—, —N(CH3)— or a single bond
• with the proviso that at least one unit of polymer (B) contains S1-T1-Q1-A.